Ukraine crisis: Germany wants to offer Russia a free trade area

Chancellor Merkel and Minister Gabriel spoke about a trade partnership “between Lisbon and Vladivostok.” Both of them clarified that this partnership could be a long-term perspective in case that Russia recognises the Minsk Agreement. At a meeting of foreign ministers on Wednesday evening in Berlin, the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine agreed to the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the crisis zone. A first step since months (Der Spiegel).